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Sunday, November 29, 2009

The only reason why we ask other people how their weekend was is so we can tell them about our own weekend. ~Chuck Palahniuk

Today I had my first official photo shoot with one of my dear friends who is a world class photographer. I'm sure you all remember Dwayne from when I did a guest post on this photography blog - www.dwaynetucker.com. He is an outstanding photographer and a wonderful friend. Check out his site and look through his portfolio to see all the amazing work he's done!

I don't know how many times we planned to shoot but it hadn't worked out due to busy schedules on both ends.

I woke up today with a knot in my stomach. I was so nervous! The last time I had a photoshoot, I was doing a favor for a friend by replacing a model that could not show up for the shoot, so it was basically a spur of the moment thing and didn't really turn out too well. This time I knew it was all about me and something that I really needed to BRING IT for.

I thought it would be chilly out since it has been a bit chilly lately, but as soon as I was outside, the cardigan came off. It was gorgeous out! Perfect weather for a shoot, not too hot and not too cool...just right!

I brought some other outfits for changes during the night shoot.

We ended up hitting some traffic as well, and the knot in my stomach just got tighter. I figured that this streak of bad luck would carry over into my shoot and I would knock something over or perhaps even fall into the ocean or something ridiculous happening to ruin the shoot.

Miami was beautiful!The weather could not have been any more perfect!Sunny, breezy, and perfectly warm.

While the guys were setting up, "Just be comfortable and relax"....is so easy to hear and pretend like you totally understand, but it's so hard to do!

I asked Jerrid to take a test pic of me with my camera.You can see that I'm nervous.

My first few shots were so awkward and dead...but I did end up loosening up in the end. After that point, I just started having so much fun! Dwayne means business when it comes to photography, so me being nervous and awkward was just wasting his time. I snapped out of it and the shoot went great!

Our shoot lasted a while, probably from around 3pm to 7pm. We got a great number of shots in and I can't wait to share them with you! I love them all! Dwyane is amazing! He made me feel like a million bucks and totally comfortable during the shoot!

Jerrid was there was well being supportive and super helpful! He also snapped some candids with my camera during the daytime shoot out by the bay.

The man behind the flash

I was having so much fun!Jerrid shot this with my camera while I posing.I look into it! hahaI can't wait to see the final shots!

Tonight we saw Precious. Wheeew, that movie is powerful. It makes me so sad to know that there really are girls out there who have their dreams shattered, but Precious is an example of someone who just didn't give up...she couldn't. Seeing yourself as something beautiful and loving yourself gives you the power to be there and love in return to others.

I just wanted to reach through the movie screen and hug Precious.

This movie was based on a novel, but we do realize that people live and deal with issues similar to Precious, everyday. We live nowhere near a perfect world, but within all these imperfections, you need to find the perfections within yourself. Nothing can bring you down!

This movie is inspirational, touching, and can pull those heartstrings over and over again.

Before you go run your mouth about someone else,just remember that everyone has a story.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Jerrid kept naggin' me about going to the mall to experience the whole Black Friday fiasco, but I was doubting it since I hate walking through crowded places since I need to fly through the isles, I just can't stand that inch floating that people do through the mall. I did have a huge change of mind after I heard that the malls open at Midnight. That's like a dream come true of mine and probably any other insomniac! I always had fantasies about mall shopping after hours...wht girl doesnt. It was enough to convince me to go. Something new and something worth my time, so we headed on over to the mall at 11:30 pm.

I was going to do a look of the day, so instead it basically turned into my look of the night for Black Friday. I wore a purple shirt, so to match with it, I wore purple eyeshadow and went for a deep smokey look.

We show up to the mall to see this coming into the parking lot. I already knew I was in for it.

Line into the parking lot.We barely found a spot somewhere in the lot without any lights!

We already marked Best Buy off our lists after we saw the line while driving by. It was crazy and definitly isn't my style to wait in a line that long outside in the cold - or what we consider cold here in Florida. It was in the 60's, that's cold as heck for us. Everyone was going nuts over some Nikon camera, that was cheaper at Wal-Mart anyway.

We marked off Coach as well after we saw this...

No thanks.

This picture was about 15 after midnight. I had no idea that many people would show up and literally right on time. Little did I know that this crowd was nothing compared to what we were in for a in an hour or so.

Not fun to walk through.

People still buy Tommy?

I met up with a friend and met a new one she brought along!

We had to pose for a pic! You know me and my photos!

We finally left the mall at around 4am. We wanted to hit up the sale at Wal-Mart which was starting at 5am.

I didn't leave the mall empty handed! I stopped by a show store by the exit and picked up two pairs of shoes for their sale, which was Buy one pair, get the second 20% off - basically no sale! I just wanted these shoes anyway, they were cute and didn't hurt my pockets.

Wild Diva - Rayna - in CognacThese shoes were $30. The Steve Madden version of these is $140.

Thursday, November 26, 2009

I hope you all enjoy your day and get to spend it with your family, friends, and other loved ones. Eat lots of food, laugh at many jokes, give plenty of hugs and receive them as well, and pucker up for those kisses!

It's my baby's first Thanksgiving!

I can't stop kissing those cheeks!

I have SO much to be thankful for and in my previous posts I made a scrapblog describing all of the things I was thankful for, but I forgot one major thing!

I am thankful for YOU!

Thank you all of my wonderful readers for supporting me and being such inspirational and caring people!

I can still remember sitting down at my computer after reading a few blogs and debating whether or not I should start my own. I'm so glad that I did! I have met so many loving and incredible people that I probably would have never had the chance to meet otherwise!

I would have never imagined that my blog would grow to what it is today! I am so passionate about my blog and I am passionate about my readers!

Thank you!

Thank you!

Thank you!

I baked some cookies with a Thanksgiving theme - Turkey Curkie.

Gobble Gobble

I got some inspiration for these cookies while google searching some Thanksgiving dessert recipes. These were easy to make...just a sugar cookie recipe with added decoration using icing, black icing gel, M&M's, and Candy Corn!

I improvised for some cookies that didn't come out in the perfect form...perhaps more of a semicircle shape since I used a square baking pan and didn't have enough room. I gave these Turkey's a more lavish tail that reaches from end to end!

I don't have too much of a sweet tooth so I won't be digging into these, but Jerrid already scarfed down a few.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Thanksgiving is upon us and it's that time of the year to give thanks for our many blessings and good fortunes. It's a time to gather the family, kiss each cheek, and cherish the moments that makeup your memories that stay with you forever. Each day should be cherished, but Thanksgiving is a day set aside where we can sit down together and truly acknowledge our thankfulness together in celebration with full tummies and hearts.

I love Thanksgiving! Such a warm and cozy feeling sweeps across me when I think about it! I have so much to be thankful for!

I made a scrapblog using scrapblog.com - a simple drag and drop digital scrapblog maker. It's very fun and I've used it in previous posts. (In case you were wondering)

Thornton Wilder, a great mind.

Inspired, I decided to then write my own poems toexplain my blessings and thankfulness for them

Enjoy your Thanksgiving and always rememberhow amazing and how much of a true blessing life is!

Monday, November 23, 2009

If you're unsatisfied with your smile and are looking for a cheap and healthy way to get that brighter, whiter smile, you probably already have all the ingredients that you need right under your nose! Even the biggest names in the entertainment industry, such as Julia Roberts, use this method for a quick and easy way to get those pearly whites you desire!

This hassle free tooth whitening method is very easy. The ingredients are hydrogen peroxide (2%-3%), usually the ones found in drug stores, and baking soda. When the two are mixed they cause a chemical reaction.

The hydrogen peroxide produces oxygen and water during which it begins to foam. The foaming action kills bacteria in very hard to reach places as well as break down film that may be growing on your teeth. Just rinsing with peroxide alone also produces this effect and allows your toothpaste to be more effective when brushing afterwards.

Baking soda, which can be mildly abrasive, also kills micro-organisms that can cause mouth and gum disease. Baking soda also neutralizes acid and can prevent the damaging stuff from developing on your teeth and gums, plaque is one example. Although baking soda can be mildy abrasive, it is a great way to scrub your teeth with no damage but should be used in moderation. This method should not be used everyday, but 2 to 3 times a week can begin to show amazing results.

Start off with a dixie cup. Pour in a tiny bit of peroxide and add a teaspoon of baking soda. Mix the composite with your toothbrush to make a paste. Brush the paste onto your teeth and leave on teeth for a minute.

If you feel any pain or begin to see white developments on your gums, do not fear. Although it may be a sign of gum disease and gingivitis, it may be normal and will go away when the balance in your mouth returns to normal. You would have the same effect if you used white strips of any other tooth whitening product as these products contain the same ingredients and may leak over onto the gums.

When used over a period of time, you should see spectacular results! Seeing that we are all affected by the recession in one way or another, this should not be something to have to spend up to $30 on during your necessity shopping.

A utensil that may be one of the best things to use for whiter, healthier teeth is the straw! As simple as this may seem, straws prevent what your drinking to make as much contact with your teeth as it would without a straw. We all know how juices contain dyes that may discolor teeth along time. Coffee and tea are also teeth stainers. Many people use coffee for the natural staining effect to dye hair, just imagine the discoloration it may cause your teeth over time.

Although straws can cause some wrinkles along your lips...and we all hate wrinkles, it can help in maintaining the health of your teeth by preventing contact with stains, dyes, and sugars in juices. Lemons and other citrus fruits, such as Limes, contain a lot of acids that lead to decay and soften tooth enamel. It is advised to stay away from direct contact of lemons or limes onto your teeth.

Also remember to floss regularly, and scrape your tongue. Nasty germs may develop on your tongue that could spread and cause gross stuff to start developing on your teeth.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

If this isn't helping the economy, I don't know what is. This my last haul post for a while, I promise. A while meaning...about a week or whenever my piggy bank gets it's jingle back. It's gotten to the point where buying something from MAC isn't even like shopping, its just...necessary. It's getting close to the point where nothing will be left.

Jerrid had an appointment to see the doctor who had performed his surgery, so we all gathered up into the car and headed over to Naples, where Jerrid and I used to live, to see his doctor and do some shopping. Jerrid's doctor was so impressed with his progression! He's almost at 100%! Just a little more time to go! You can't rush these kinds of things.

We stopped by the mall, because my mom's shopping addiction is just about as bad as mine. The thing about me is I do my damage little by little. I'll buy one thing here, one thing there...as if it's any better to spread out the days. I should just go to town in one day, but I'm saving the guilt trip for later.

Meet the noobs to my makeup collection.

MAC Pigment in "Melon" and Creamsheen Lipglass in "Boy Bait".

What a pretty color! I love golds and warm neutrals, and this is a peachy gold.

Love nudes. Love gloss. Both together = perfection.These lipglasses are quite sheer, but it'll do for those supple shiny lips over any lipstick.

Tomorrow is my big day to finally go see New Moon. I'm thinking of doing a red lip and grey smokey eye for my look. I want to be festive for the occasion.